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Chris Capuano

Brewers Notes: Bush, Capuano, Counsell, Dillard

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The Brewers introduced new manager Ron Roenicke at a press conference on Thursday, and GM Doug Melvin spoke to the media about the upcoming free agent period afterwards. Tom Haudricourt of The Journal Sentinel fills us in on the details…

  • Melvin told right-hander Dave Bush that "he should test the market." Bush didn't take it as a sign that the team will not attempt to re-sign him however, he told Haudricourt that Melvin encouraged him to explore the market since it's his first time as a free agent.
  • Melvin indicated that he had calls into the agents for Chris Capuano and Craig Counsell, and that it's possible he'll make them offers before other teams can jump in.
  • There has been no indication that the team will try to bring Trevor Hoffman, Doug Davis, and/or Gregg Zaun back. The Brewers recently declined the club options for all three players.
  • MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports that Milwaukee has re-signed right-hander Tim Dillard to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. The 27 year old spent the season in Triple-A working on a new sidearm delivery. 

Brewers Designate Claudio Vargas For Assignment

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Milwaukee has designated righthander Claudio Vargas for assignment, according to the Brewers' VP of Communications Tyler Barnes (via Twitter).  The move was made in order to accommodate the arrival of Chris Capuano, who was recalled from Triple-A Nashville.

In 19.2 innings this season, Vargas has a ERA of 7.32 with 8.2 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9.  For his career, the soon-to-be 32-year-old has a 4.83 ERA with 6.4 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9.

Vargas, who has thrown his fastball at an average of 91.3 mph throughout his career has seen his velocity dip to just 86.5 mph this season.

Brewers Recall Chris Capuano

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The Brewers have summoned lefthander Chris Capuano to the big leagues, according to Tom Haudricourt of The Journal Sentinel. Capuano had an out clause in his contract that would have allowed him to become a free agent if was not in the big leagues by today.

The 31-year-old last pitched in the majors at the end of the 2007 season. He suffered an elbow injury in Spring Training of 2008, and eventually underwent the second Tommy John surgery of his career. In the three years prior to his injury, Capuano posted a 4.28 ERA with a 7.3 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in close to 600 innings for Milwaukee. He struck out 33 and walked just four while putting up a 1.59 ERA in seven minor league rehab starts this year.

The Brewers will have to make a 40-man roster move to accommodate Capuano's arrival, though they could slide Gregg Zaun to the 60-day DL given his torn labrum.

Odds & Ends: Orioles, Scheppers, Pirates, Blue Jays

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As we prepare for a weekend of watching AL pitchers take ineffective swings, here are a few news items…

Capuano, Brewers Push Back Opt-Out Date

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Tom Haudricourt of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the Brewers and left-hander Chris Capuano have mutually agreed to postpone the opt-out date in the pitcher's contract to May 29.  Capuano could've opted out of the minor league deal he signed last November since he wasn't on Milwaukee's major league roster by May 20, but the date was extended because Capuano "wasn't physically ready for that kind of decision."

The Brewers' pitching problems this season have been well-documented, but a healthy Capuano could provide a much-needed (and cheap) boost.  The former All-Star hasn't pitched in the majors since 2007 due to the second Tommy John surgery of his career, but he has been lights-out in the minors this season.  In five starts for Milwaukee's A+ and Triple-A affiliates, Capuano has a 1.55 ERA and an eye-popping 14.5 K/BB ratio.

Odds & Ends: Dukes, Astros, Twins, Giants

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Some Saturday afternoon tidbits….

  • Nationals' manager Jim Riggleman spoke about what he thinks Elijah Dukes can do next season, writes Byron Kerr of MASNSports.com.
  • Satchel Price at Beyond The Box Score thinks the Astros have overpaid for the players they've picked up this offseason.
  • Kelly Thesier of MLB.com points out that for all of the talk about the Twins' need for a third baseman, the club is only looking for a "short-term stopgap" given the presence of top prospect Danny Valencia.  Thesier's mailbag piece also shoots downs a couple of Twins-related trade rumors and discusses the club's attempt to re-sign Joe Mauer.  
  • In another MLB.com mailbag, Chris Haft says there hasn't been any talk of the Giants signing Carlos Delgado (though he would fit their need for a left-handed bat) and proposes that Ryan Church would be a better outfield option for San Francisco than Rick Ankiel.
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel spoke to Chris Capuano about the pitcher's attempt to return from (his second) Tommy John surgery.
  • The Reds' budget may limit them to just pinch-hitting options in their search for a hitter, reports MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
  • John Sickels of MinorLeagueBall.com grades the top 20 prospects in the Mets and Indians systems.  The only player on either list to rate an A-grade was Cleveland catcher Carlos Santana.
  • Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com looks at the youngsters who will be fighting to be the Dodgers' No. 5 starter next season.  Jackson points out that these pitchers might be going for the No. 4 spot too if L.A. doesn't sign a veteran starter before Opening Day.

Brewers Re-Sign Chris Capuano

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The Brewers re-signed rehabbing lefty Chris Capuano, according to Anthony Witrado of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.  Capuano had his second career Tommy John surgery in May of 2008.  He was non-tendered after that season and re-signed on a minor league deal, but setbacks limited him to nine minor league innings this year.

The Brewers are expected to sign a pair of starters from a free agent pool that includes Carl Pavano, Randy Wolf, Jarrod Washburn, Doug Davis, and Jon Garland.  But wouldn't it be something if low-risk fliers like Capuano or Mark Mulder made significant contributions?

Odds And Ends: Beltre, Capuano, Blanton

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More links to read in anticipation of John Smoltz's Red Sox debut…

  • Larry Larue of the News Tribune reports that Adrian Beltre will need surgery on his shoulder at some point, but he's trying to play through the pain for now. He says he doesn't want teams to question his health when he becomes a free agent this winter. 
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says we shouldn't expect to see Chris Capuano pitch in 2009. 
  • Check out RotoAuthority for a closer look at a pitcher who may have value in fantasy leagues: Joe Blanton.
  • ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure says the Pirates, Brewers and Tigers are among the teams with the strongest scouting presence in Cuba. 

Odds and Ends: Ponson, Pie, Dohmann

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Links for Wednesday…

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